Portland approves shopping bag fee, foam ban

Nickel fee imposed for disposable shopping bags

No Plastic Bags -- Los Angeles became the largest U.S. city to ban the use of plastic grocery bags, joining nearly four dozen other California municipalities. Every county in Hawaii also prohibits them, as does Portland, Ore., and the Outer Banks region of North Carolina.

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No Plastic Bags -- Los Angeles became the largest U.S. city to ban the use of plastic grocery bags, joining nearly four dozen other California municipalities. Every county in Hawaii also prohibits them, as does Portland, Ore., and the Outer Banks region of North Carolina.

The Portland City Council has approved ordinances that charge consumers a nickel for disposable shopping bags and bans polystyrene foam food and beverage containers.

Supporters of the measures - both approved by 6-3 votes Monday night - say they reduce litter and help the environment.

The Portland Press Herald reports that the ordinances were passed after about two hours of debate.

Opponents called them an unnecessary burden on consumers that don't address the real causes of litter. They also say they are inconsistent, since some businesses will be exempt.

A maid who cleaned the home of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez has testified at his murder trial that she saw him "messing with" the security camera in his basement the day after the killing.